Thursday, November 22, 2007

In reading the multitude of blogs, news websites, and TV telecasts, I have gotten almost every view, angle, opinion, thought and word about the Bonds incident.

This is now my definitive opinion in a nutshell.

This is a referendum on his personality, his arrogance and the way he's treated people. The feds are going after him likes he's Tony Montana from "Scarface", not some athlete who decided to juice himself up. That's the issue I have -- and I don't think it's about race, though it can come into play somewhat in the reaction of some people.

Bonds is not a criminal mastermind, he's a selfish athlete who pumped himself up with drugs to gain a competitive advantage in sports. It's not like he supplied enough drugs to feed a small city, or pump out enough product to create an army of wanna-be juiced up guys.

The U.S. Government spent millions of dollars and resources to nail Bonds. In the end, he may have the chance to spend more time in jail than Victor Conte or any of his cohorts combined for the fact he did not want to participate in the BALCO investigation.

It's about him as a person, he breaking a hollowed record and his arrogance. If this had been "Nice Guy ballplayer", he would most likely have gotten a pass.

Well, although it looks like he did indulge in drug use, he is still innocent until proven guilty -- in court; however, public opinion is far different.

As well, for those of you who think the steroid era will go away not that Bonds is out the picture - news flash, it will get worse before it gets better. When the Mitchell report comes out, the list guys who were found to have alleged to use PED's will be diverse -- good guys, bad guys, guys who gave to charity, the minor leaguer, the fringe player, the youngster, the veteran and the All-Star.

Then again, when Bug Selig & the Union admit their culpability in this, we will finally move on.

* According the Associated Press, Catcher Jason Kendall and the Milwaukee Brewers reached a preliminary agreement Wednesday on a one-year contract.

The deal, which includes a 2009 option that could become guaranteed, is subject to Kendall passing a physical. Milwaukee made the move one day after trading catcher Johnny Estrada, to the New York Mets for reliever Guillermo Mota.

* The New York Post reports that rookie 1B-OF Shelley Duncan has been released from an Arizona hospital after being treated for a circulatory problem believed to be a blood clot.

* Steve Finley, who sat out last year, wants to plays in the majors in 2008.

* The Houston Astros signed free-agent infielder Geoff Blum on Tuesday to a one-year, $1.1-million contract with a club option for 2009.

* According to ESPN, Major League Baseball International and a Puerto Rican businessman are close to reaching an agreement to have the Mets and the Marlins play some regular season games in San Juan, Puerto Rico.